Hazel Janette (Taylor) Hefty, 84, died peacefully Aug. 13, 2013, at Memorial Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She left this life as we know it to be reunited in eternal life with her one true love, Warren, who preceded her in death on May 6, 2013.
Hazel, the second youngest of eight, was born May 8, 1929, in Union Grove, to the late Lyle and Hazel (Richardson) Taylor. She spent her early life in Union Grove before moving to Burlington. It was at that time Warren met and became friends with her brothers. The family only lived a short time in Burlington before moving to Dixon, Ill. Warren remained friends with Hazel’s brothers and it was through their friendship that Warren and Hazel met and fell in love. Warren’s military service sent him to Germany during World War II but he continued courting Hazel through love letters. When he returned home from the war, Warren proposed to Hazel and on April 26, 1947 they were united in marriage.
After marriage, they resided in Burlington where they raised their family. Hazel was a stay-at-home mom until Warren opened a business in 1960. Any free time that she had was spent as a bookkeeper for the business.
Hazel’s love for her family and life was so apparent in her constant and uplifting smile. Hazel and Warren were inseparable and for years, they spent many weekends at their favorite destination – Hefty’s Hideaway on Upper Post Lake, fishing and enjoying each other’s company. And if they weren’t in God’s Country fishing, they were out dining at one of their favorite restaurants.
Survivors include her daughters, Deborah (Randy) Martin, Lynnea (James) Rutkowski; daughter-in-law, Jeannie Hefty; grandchildren, Renee (Mark) Ludtke, Jamie (Kevin) Gill, Kelly (Michael) Meinen, Brett (Marta) Hefty, Kevin (Rachel) Rutkowski, Shelley (Greg) Strohm, Brian (Ryan) Rutkowski, Jason and Nicole Martin; great-grandchildren, Paige, Cole, Alison, Katlynn, Autumn, Evan, Taylor, Tanner, Michala, Alexandria, Dakota, Tyler, Brilynn, Layla, Logan, Carson, Ethan, Ava, Jaxin, Alexander, Oliver and Hailee; nieces; nephews; relatives and many friends.
She was further preceded in death by her son, Warren Jr.; sisters, Hannah, Annabelle, Elma; brothers, Lyle, Lawrence, Edward and Henry.
Visitation is Sunday, Aug. 18, from 5 p.m., until time of services at 6 p.m., at Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home, 625 Browns Lake Drive, Burlington. The Rev. Ebenezer Insor will officiate.
In lieu of flowers the family has suggested memorials be made to the Burlington Rescue Squad or Burlington United Methodist Church.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Diane Healey for her care and compassion of Hazel for many years, Dr. George Krismer, Burlington Rescue Squad, Memorial Hospital’s ER and ICU staff, VNA Hospice and the second floor nurses.
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